§ 16. Mr. Simmondsasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that officers and airmen of the Royal Air Force in France receive, in effect, shorter periods of leave than those stationed in the United Kingdom; and will he take steps to remedy this grievance?
§ Sir K. WoodThe amount of leave of absence from the unit is broadly the same both at home and in France. I appreciate that more time is spent in travelling by personnel serving in France than by those serving in this country. I am afraid, however, that it is impossible to compensate for the extra time spent in travelling, because the number of personnel who can be absent at the same time from units overseas and the transport available are limited.
§ Mr. SimmondsWould my right hon. Friend consider, in view of those difficulties, allowing the officers and men overseas to accumulate the time that they spend in travelling, so that when they are posted to a home station they may take that extra accumulated leave?
§ Sir K. WoodOfficers commanding may authorise the carrying forward, within the leave year, of any leave not taken, provided that they are satisfied that special circumstances precluded its being taken during the period for which it was granted.
§ Mr. SimmondsWill my right hon. Friend satisfy me that this time which is spent in travelling will be considered by the air officers commanding?
§ Sir K. WoodI cannot extend the answer I have just given.